The year that was ... 2007

Ok. Its that time of the year when you look back at the past year and look ahead at the new year as well. Time to reflect upon the happenings of the year going by and time to make resolutions for the new year (that in a separate blog tommorow).

To summarise last year, it was an awsome year, a year with lots of memories to cherish and lot of new experiences which have enriched my life tremendously. To begin with, I was in USA for first couple of months till mid feb. I have to say my US trip last year was an amazing experience. It gave me lot of time to introspect, look deep down within and make attempts to solve some long standing issues in life. More than anything, it gave me opportunity to have fresh perspectives and a chance to be more open to experiments and finally make some concrete decisions to change things. And I was able to do that and took some steps which would lead me into some decision !!

The biggest decision was to choose a life partner. I started my search with a lot of preconcieved notions. But as time went by I learnt to throw away those preconcieved notions and get real.

In July I finally found my life partner. All the wait seemed to be paying rich dividends for me. Divya came into my life and we had a "Chat pat Byah". Everything happened very quickly. Within a month we were married on 11th of July 2007. Miracles do happen and dreams do come true.

Everyone including me (more importantly!!) was very happy. As per my resolution, I was able to move on and start a new life with Divya. It was and is great to have her together. We gell with each other very well and are very happy (touch wood) ! Although, it has been just 5 months, it seems we know each other for a long time. i would give that entire credit to Divya since she gets along so very well with everyone in family and is such a fun person to be with. She is down to earth, friendly, humorous, lively, enthusiastic and most importantly knows how to take everyone together. These were precisely the things which I wanted in my life partner Though these are still early days(honeymoon period as the cynics call it), we both are sure that we will do well in difficult times too as "anti incumbancy" sets in.

I also got promoted this year at work and so the "feel good factor" continued in work as well. I am thankful to so many people in my team who helped me in getting the promotion.

More importantly, I felt good from within after a long long time and there is no better feeling than this. I learnt lessons from my past (there were plenty!) and I felt confident as I moved ahead in life.

I started blogging at the end of year 2006. As I moved into 2007, I wanted to write more and for that I needed to read more. And read I did ! I read an outstanding book called "Mrityunjay" by authot Shivaji Samant. This has to be the best book I have ever read in my life till now. And I already know the only book better than this would be "Yugandhar" by the same authot. I intend to read it in 2008. I read many other books like Call of honor, Everything happens for a reason, Inspite of Gods, and couple of other fiction novels.

Divya and I also attended two fantastic music concerts. We attended one in Pune by
sudesh Bhosale. The other one was in Dec 2007 in Chicago. We have followed Sa Re Ga Ma Pa show on Zee TV and it was an awsome experience to attend this show. We both loved it like nothing !

We are now in USA and trying to adjust in the windy city of Chicago. I am back to this place as I was here last winter as well.

All in all, this year has been great and it made me love and live life once again. 2007, the year that was will always remain in my memory for a long long time.

Wish you all a great 2008. Wish the best for everyone and hope all you want comes true !!

2 years ....

Its been 2 years today, since my life changed completely. There are few events/decisions in life which turn the life upside down. In my life, if there is one turning point in life as of now, it has to be this one.

2 years ago, this very day, I left my home, Indore, Impetus and many other things. Everything happens for a reason, and this did happen for a lot of reasons. It was such a difficult decision for me. Although I took that decision, it was really the situations that forced me out.

2 years later, lot has changed, and still lot is yet to change.

To say the least, it has been a struggle .. but a struggle worth every bit of it.

There are still a lot of things I need to do, lot of dreams to fulfill, a lot of aims to achieve and a lot many deadlines to meet. All the best !!

Happy Birthday Baba ...

Today is baba's birthday. He has completed 59 illustrious years as he enters into his 60's today.

As I called baba in the morning today, I had so many feelings. And I felt very guilty as I wished him on his birthday. Sometimes, unknowingly, we take our parents for granted. Atleast I have done that a lot ...

Baba, Although just 1 blog is in no way sufficient to write down even 1 % of all that you and Mamma have done for your children, I still want to write about so many things which perhaps I will never ever be able to say to you (again because perhaps I have taken you for granted).

I can never forget the way you and Mamma have stood behind me firmly in last 5-6 years, especially when I have been extremly irresponsible and perhaps not to the best of my behavior. Your perseverance and the ability to be extremely flexible is something that I wish I could inherit from you. Baba, I can never forget how you and Mamma have shown me the path everytime I have erred (and erred I have so many times). There have been so many ocasions in last few years, when you have actually had to go through a lot of uncomfortable moments just because of me. And what you have done on each of those moments has always made me speechless. And inspite of all those awkward moments, that I made you go through, you have always been behind me like "The Wall" and showed me the correct path.

I don't have any words for the way you have adapted to different situations, just to make your children happy. Although every parent sacrifices for their children and adjusts happily, but I do not think, anybody would be able to do what you and Mamma have done for me and Vinit.

On a lighter note now, and there would be very few people of your age and generation who have adapted so well to the world of computers and internet :-) Everyday as I chat with you and Mamma, I see you using the "internet lingo". The words like "gr8", "u" and usage of smileys and emoticons in your sentences, only prooves how well you learnt and adjusted to the new order ... And this, when you have been a English Teacher all through your life ...

Another thing on a lighter note that I want to tell is how you have protected me and Mamma (not Vinit as he has always been the stronger one!!) from all the lizards and rats, which I am still terribly afraid of :-)

Baba, I wish you again on your birthday and wish you the best of health and happy and fun filled times. I also hope that I will be able to give you some happiness.

I have missed you, Mamma and our home a lot in last 3 years since I left my home. I want to be with you and Mamma soon and always want us to be together.

Baba, I am really proud of you and all that you have achieved as a teacher, father, son, guide, friend, philosopher, grand father, husband, father-in-law ....

Again wishing you on your birthday and With Best Regards,
Ammu.